Painful Poems | Examples

List of Member Poems

Lost Poem Turned Prayer

Her human condition, still stuck in addiction, being spoon-fed the traumas that led to the murder of her best friend,
wounds that left scars, leaving more than just their mark.
An emptiness that grows, a deep yearning in her heart...

I'm bringing this all to my Father in Heaven to stop this tearing in my heart. Please feel my words, hear my hurt.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Premium Member Not Nearly Long Enough

Not nearly long enough, a king’s words
what to expect from a tyrant's paradox absurd
making sure not a drop is lost as consumed
she holds the cobalt blue bowl to her lips
a grape tint gauze tied gently around her hips
it tells of an impregnated womb
a farewell toast to the warriors aboard ships
or a drink of what they’ll lack, that and more      
of the destiny a young husband has in store
departing are ships, she ponders them upon the sea
the open book in front of her kept unread
behind her, replacement ships underway, as relief
what has been too long, for any sailor this dread
out at sea in despair of the unknowing, the grief
Of sailors jumping overboard, an S O S ignored
what any wife can’t bear, their king has no empathy
furious are the wives of the lies told
a sword has stricken through the hearts of gold
replacement ships finally, underway to relieve
what has been too long for any sailor out at sea

Premium Member Painful Changes

"Young serpent", an aged father snake 
said as he kindly and wisely spake. 
"You must be comfortable in your skin.
It's the home that you'll be living in."

The young one grew.  Life was like a hug. 
His skin felt comfortable and snug, 
but as time went by, it got too tight.
Life was unbearable, try as he might. 

So, it came about that hardship and strife,
were conditions that motivate new life,
leading to a pleasant new existence,
as he shed his skin, and his resistance, 

and thought to himself, "It sure is strange.  
Difficulties can lead to change", 
and found in life that growing pain
often leads to happiness again.


Premium Member A Painful Reminder

oh, grief...
it's indeed true what is said
about you.

you're an arc
that keeps looping your way back
to yet another circle.

all it takes
for your long-smothered flame
to once again ignite...

just one reminder,
a painful one at that;
old funeral service bulletin.

It's painful

It's very painful 
Sleeping with heavy heart 
Waking up with hope 
Maybe sun will rise 
Everything will be normal 
But nothing happened 
Only hope shattered into pieces 
Finally sun goes and rest 

Hoping next day would be better
But nothing changed 
Only the waves of wind flattered 
around the corner 
Explaining it's own story and emotions 

Deep inside heart corner 
Pain surge like burning fire
One door fully opened 
With love and care 
Another closed 
Betraying loved ones emotions 

Life stuck between two boats 
Both boats with loved ones 
Neither I can choose only one 
Nor I can leave both of them 
It's very painful 
Sleeping with heavy heart everyday

Premium Member War Is A Waste Of Precious Young Blood

War is a waste of precious young blood
War is a waste of fresh natural resources
War is as bad as a raging and vile flood
War is evil if you understand the sources
The reasoning behind such unnecessary
Aggression and the violence and the vanity
Which are cowardly robbing and destroying
Mankind. War is bad. War is a very bad thing
War is evil and criminal
War is mortal and abnormal.

War is a waste for the perpetrators and the victims
War is a waste for all. But peace comes like dreams
Distant dreams. Peace is more precious than money
Diamond, gold, silver and all other precious metals
Said a very eloquent brother who deserves all medals
Ever invented by famous and powerful institutions
Give us peace, not evil wars dear highly divine Almighty
Help men learn from past errors and nugatory aggressions
War is unnatural and abysmal
War is lethal and inimical.

Copyright © February 2020, Hébert Logerie, All rights reserved.
Hébert Logerie is the author of several poetry collections.


PAINFUL POETRY

Footle
Brutal

Premium Member My Dear Friend Is Gone

My good friend was here yesterday
He and I were laughing and joking
Together. He was a very funny comedian
I’m shocked, I don’t know what to say
I’m speechless like a cold and timid hen
Everybody was praying for him to leave after spring
I guess God had another project, another plan
What a pity! My dear friend is now gone
Nobody knows anything about his destination
I wonder if he’s now living in a different nation
Under another blue sky, where birds fly like angels
Or under dark clouds, where frogs sing like crazy devils
My good friend is no longer here. He left with the wind
When the sun stopped shining. He was a good friend
It’s sad when a brave friend leaves unannounced
Without the sound of the bell of the old Cathedral
I am hurt. It is painful. I feel being sadly trounced
My friend left in a hurry, perhaps to live in another capital
Darn! My good friend was here yesterday
He and I were talking and watching
TV together. He quietly quit. He went away
He vamoosed before the arrival of spring.

Copyright © November 2025 Hébert Logerie, All rights reserved.
Hébert Logerie is the author of several poetry collections.

Home of Coal

The darkness that follows, a shadow on my name, creeps beyond the door of my brains frame.
Within the silent cave were my pain may sleep, a violent volcano and my heart it keeps.
The bubbling lava waiting to erupt, an escape from this world I see as corrupt.
My words may seem empty to a hollowed soul, so I shall remain in my home of coal.

Premium Member Painful Wardrobe

Wardrobe why do you groan?
I have pain so i groan
To Allah I felt in love
Therefore, I groan

My name is painful Wardrobe
Slowly flows my bourn 
Such that my Lord ordered
I have pain so i groan

They found me at a montane
And broke my wing and arm
And deemed worthy to Wardrobe
I have pain so i groan

I am a mountain's tree
Neither sweet nor tasty
To God I am praying
I have pain so i groan

They cut from montane my pain
And converted my state to a ruin
I never get tired of writing poem
I have pain so i groan

I pull my water from low
Turn and pour to tall
All the time I praise my Lord
I have pain so i groan

Jonah who comes to world doesn't smile
Persona doesn't reach to his goal
At this mortal no one stays
I have pain so i groan

Written by Yunus Emre (Dervish Jonah)
Translation Onur Ünlü

Painful Distortions

welcome myself
Self created madness
The reality of my life
Stuck on repeat
Challenges of a twisted mind
Overthinking the chaos surrounding me
How do I resolve the problem
So I can feel better day after day
Driven by loud shame
Living in guilt mixed beliefs
Stuck repeatedly
This challenging seat
Increasing mind begging
Please help me
Disturbed anger
Narcissistic self doubt
Furious rage
Unbalanced brain
Masked feelings
With a untrusting face
Gazing into my soul
Eyes wide open
Yearning the grave
Drowning in an ocean
With out absorbing my life
Reliving these days
Self defeat
Using self will
Resistance of God
Reaching out & turning away
My mind is made up
My bed is made
Unstable thoughts
Disconnected
Faith lost at sea
My will not of God
Existing only for me
Endlessly filled selfishly
Welcome to my shame
God help me

Written by
Jacob Lange 9/18/2025

My Fleeing Love

painful as a drill
my fleeing love
like a broken mirror
with only faults
a joy found in a heap
within the rubble of its absence

Premium Member looks so painful

this looks so painful
why tattoo around your neck
did it not hurt you

Beautiful doesn't mean Safe

The Sun is pretty–Yes ,we know,
It makes the sky and flowers glow.
But look too long, and you will find,
It's beauty scars. It's strikes you blind. 

We're taught to chase what shines the most,
To the love ones who shine like ghosts.
But not all gold is made to keep ,
some glitters loud and cuts too deep. 

Not every smile is safe or true,
Not every life is meant for you.
some lovely things will draw you near,
Then leave you burned, alone with fear. 

So, next time beauty pulls you in,
Remember this beneath your skin:
Even the Sun, is all its grace, 
can leave a mark, you can't erase

Premium Member Volcanic Eruption Of The Soul

Words both good or bad are very powerful,
bad words said are like a volcanic eruption to the soul.
Why do family and friends hurt each other,
do they not understand what it does to the other person ~
volcanic eruption of the soul takes place.
These painful words and actions are like hot lava,
hot lava running out from ones soul.
This volcanic eruption can only be stopped with love,
or by separation. 
As I stand like a mountain tall and strong, 
there will be no more hot lava volcanic eruptions of the soul.

Sub Categories

Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace